www.ew.govt.nz

CoromandelEcological Region

What to plant in

Planting local native trees to preserve our natural heritage and promote our community identity.

Environment Waikato Local Area Planting Guide Series 2

Colville, Tairua, Thames and Waihi Ecological Districts

Cover photograph by Harley Grant Photography“Sugarloaf, Coromandel Peninsula”.

1Corom

andel Ecological RegionContentsAbout this guide

Coromandel Ecological Region and districts What is special about these ecological districts?

Planting guide

Coromandel Peninsula: special planting situations

1. Remnant tree stands

2. Streambanks and riparian zones

3. Stabilising slips, road cuttings and erosion-prone areas

Coromandel Peninsula planting zones

1. Pohutukawa zone

2. Puriri zone

3. Tawa - Kauri zone

4. Tawari - Mountain daisy zone

Plant list for Colville, Tairua, Thames and Waihi ecological districts

Your notes(use these pages for your own records)

AcknowledgementsThis guide was compiled by Janica Amoore and Karen Denyer, with advice and assistance from:

Wayne Todd, Moehau Environmental GroupMoira Cursey, Waikato Biodiversity Forum CoordinatorJason Roxburgh and Andrea Brandon, Department of ConservatonBruce Burns, Manaaki-Whenua Landcare ResearchSarah Beadel, Wildland Consultants LtdEmily O’Donnell, Environment Waikato.

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2About this guideThe Coromandel Peninsula is a special place that draws thousands of summer visitors to enjoy its sandy beaches, dramatic landscape, extensive forests, and diversity of wildlife. The Coromandel is one of the most extensively vegetated parts of the Waikato region. About 60 per cent of the Peninsula is clothed in native vegetation, much of it recovering from over a century of logging, mining and farming activities.

With so much vegetation remaining on the peninsula, why the need for a planting guide?

• Most of the remaining native forest is in large protected reserves in the higher altitude sub-montane and montane zones. The coastal and lowland zones, which support a different range of plants and animals, have experienced significant loss of vegetation and many of the remaining stands of bush are degraded by grazing, with little or no understorey. • The Peninsula is plagued by a wide range of weeds that take advantage of the warm, wet climate and are a threat both to agriculture and native biodiversity.• Frequent rainstorms cause severe stream bank erosion, land slides and flooding which pollute waterways and threaten lives and property.

Planting natives on the Peninsula can help overcome these problems. Native plants can be used to:• return native vegetation to the coastal and lowland zones, enhance waterways and provide seasonal food for native birds• restore degraded stands of remnant trees, such as the isolated stands of puriri and pukatea with no undergrowth• replace exotic weeds and prevent other weeds establishing in cleared areas• stabilise river banks and reduce erosion on bare land and newly created slips.

Many agencies, community groups, and individuals are working hard to protect the natural values of the Coromandel Peninsula. They are removing weeds, controlling pests, re-introducing lost wildlife and planting natives to re-create or enhance natural ecosystems. This guide will help you select and plant local native plants for your gardens and re-vegetation areas, or as specimen or shelter trees for your property.

The focus of this planting guide is on forest species. For ideas on what to plant in wetlands, contact Environment Waikato for a copy of the wetland management series of factsheets or see www.ew.govt.nz (type ‘freshwater wetlands’ in the search box).

This guide is for the Coromandel Peninsula, including the northern side of Waihi Beach, crossing west including the Karangahake Gorge almost to Paeroa, following the eastern bank of the Waihou River north to Thames. It includes coastal, lowland and hill country environments.

The Kauaeranga River estuary and wetland is outside these ecological districts.

Frequent rainstorms cause stream bank erosion

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TAIRUAECOLOGICALDISTRICT

THAMESECOLOGICALDISTRICT

WAIHIECOLOGICALDISTRICT

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Coromandel Ecological Region and districts

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4Coromandel Ecological Region and districtsWhat is an ecological district?

New Zealand has been divided into 268 different ecological districts based on geological, topographical, climatic and biological features that together define a characteristic landscape. Similar districts combine to form an ecological region.

Description of Coromandel Ecological Region and districts

The Coromandel Ecological Region is a peninsula, bounded by sea to the north, west and the east. It also includes a number of offshore islands.

The Coromandel Range was formed by prehistoric tectonic uplifting and volcanic activity. The geology is predominantly andesite to rhyolite, forming the characteristic peaks of the Pinnacles and Castle Rock, overlying basement sedimentary rocks (greywacke and argillites). Intense rainfall and stream development eroded the surface, creating the dissected steeplands. The eroded sediments were carried downstream and deposited to form river flats.

The topography of the ecological region is varied, it includes:• northern end (Moehau Range) – long ridges and steep streams radiating out to the coast, steep and broken hillslopes, floodplains, harbours and estuaries• western side (Colville to Thames) – abrupt, steep drop to the coastline with well defined, deep valleys draining toward the west coast, broad ridges and a high plateau-like main range• eastern side (Waikawau to Waihi) – rolling hill country with broad river valleys draining to the sea via estuaries and harbours• southern end (Ohinemuri Plain to east of Karangahake Gorge) – large vegetated river catchments, small sandy beaches and coastal hills dropping steeply to sea cliffs. Soils vary with the topography. Thin soils over weathered rock are common on steep land areas. Deeper soils, sometimes formed from remnant volcanic ashes dominate the more gentle rolling hills, and a mix of well-drained, imperfect and poorly drained fertile alluvial soils are found in the valleys.

The climate, influenced by close proximity to the sea, is largely a moist oceanic climate, with mild winters and warm humid summers. Rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year, though summer droughts and periods of localised torrential rain with associated flooding can occur. A high degree of variation in mean annual rainfall figures and temperature occurs between lowland and montane areas. The west coast is exposed to moist westerly winds, with a greater frequency of cloud, fog and mist cover.

The Coromandel Ecological Region is divided into eight ecological districts, four of which are the focus of this planting guide:

1. Colville Ecological District Covers the northernmost portion of the Coromandel Peninsula. The Moehau Range runs in a northwest to southeast direction along the length of the Peninsula reaching a height of 892 m (Mt Moehau).

2. Tairua Ecological District Extending down the lower eastern coastline of the Peninsula, from Whitianga to Whangamata and across the main range to Thames. The central Coromandel Range dissects the district from north to south with high peaks of the Pinnacles (759 m) and Table Mountain (832 m).

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Coromandel Peninsula is the transition zone between many northern and southern indigenous plant species. As a result, a relatively high number of species occur (>700 species), with a number of communities unique to the Coromandel.

The summit of Mt Moehau (892 m), for example, stands as the northern limit for many southern montane species such as mountain toatoa and mountain cedar (pahautea), which grow alongside northern species such as towai and täwari. Coromandel Peninsula also has a diverse range of fauna present with many species distinctive to the Waikato region or no longer common elsewhere in New Zealand.

3. Thames Ecological District Extending down the lower western coastline of the Peninsula and across toward Whitianga Harbour. This district includes a large amount of steep hill country and areas within the montane zone.

4. Waihi Ecological District Extending down the east coast south of Whangamata to the north side of Waihi Beach and crossing west almost to Paeroa, including the Karangahake Gorge. The terrain in this district is gentler than the previous three districts with only small areas of the main divide higher than 500 m above sea level.

Each of these districts has a particular combination of landform, soil, vegetation and climate which brands them differently from each other and the rest of the country.

Vegetation in the Colville, Tairua, Thames and Waihi ecological districts

Originally these districts were covered in native vegetation, mainly forest of four types:• coastal (pohutukawa, kohekohe and puriri) forest on the narrow coastal perimeter

dense conifer (kahikatea, matai and totara) forest on the flat, poorly drained river terracesmixed kauri-conifer-broadleaved forest and rimu-tawa forest throughout the hill country, with scattered pockets of taraire north of Tapu and Tairuamontane conifer forest with patches of towai-täwari-täwheowheo scrub at the high altitudes.

These forests assisted in protecting and building the soil resource, playing a vital role in reducing erosion and the resultant effects of sedimentation and flooding. They helped to maintain a clean, healthy water resource and provide habitat for native animals including Archey’s and Hochstetter’s frogs, kiwi, Moehau stag beetle and tuatara.

The vegetation has significantly changed since European settlement, with little primary forest remaining. Much of the remaining vegetation has either been cut over or has re-established following fire or clearance for agriculture.

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Ecological district Total area (ha) Remaining indigenous Remaining primary vegetation (%) forest (%)

Colville 77,201 59 8

Tairua 90,703 50 4

Thames 40,817 81 18

Waihi 47,290 3 15

For more detail on the natural history of the Coromandel ecological region, see E. A. Humphrys and A.M. Tyler’s Coromandel Ecological Region. Survey Report for the Protected Natural Areas Programme. Environment Waikato’s library has a copy available for you to view, by appointment.

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6Coromandel vegetation cover in 1840

Coromandel vegetation cover today

Rimu - Tawa forest

Regenerating scrubland

Montane forest

Kauri forest

Dense conifer forest

Wetland

Regenerating forest

Rimu - Tawa forest

Tawa forest

Wetland

Montane forest

Taraire - Tawa forest

Regenerating scrubland

Kauri forest

Dense conifer forest

Coastal broadleaf forest

7Corom

andel Ecological RegionWhat is special about these ecological districts?Special community projects

The Coromandel Peninsula is a beautiful place. It has white sands, rugged coastal cliffs hung with pohutukawa, historical relics from the mining and logging days, remnant kauri forests, populations of kiwi and native frog species, and extensive walking tracks over bush-clad ranges.

These treasures are at risk. The Coromandel Peninsula is in close proximity to the main centres of Auckland and Hamilton, where one-third of New Zealand’s population lives. It is the leisure and recreation destination of choice for many New Zealanders. There is very little original coastal forest remaining on the Peninsula due to intensive development and pressure for access. Roading, drainage, rubbish dumps, marine farms, jetties, marinas, forestry, and farming are all placing greater pressure on the Peninsula’s natural resources

These threats have spurred the community to action. There are now more than 45 environmental community groups active on the Peninsula, involved in voluntary activities such as animal and plant pest control, fencing and planting, development of accessways and recovery of threatened species. Local beachcare, harbourcare, landcare, Kiwi Care and other restoration groups all operate with a common theme of people working together to protect our environment.

Some major community projects include:

Moehau Environment Group www.meg.org.nz

The Moehau Environment Group is focused on protecting and enhancing the natural environment of the northern Coromandel Peninsula. Their objective is to achieve re-introduction and recovery of endangered species.

Key activities are:• possum and rat control programmes covering 3,000 ha of forest • installing and maintaining stoat traps protecting kiwi habitat in conjunction with Department of Conservation• assisting with the protection of päteke (brown teal) and nesting dotterel• weeding and planting coastal environments• running community education programmes.

Kiwi Care groups www.kiwirecovery.org.nz/kiwissavingkiwi/communityefforts.htm

There are a number of kiwi volunteer groups active on the Peninsula, involving partnerships between landowners, residents, Department of Conservation and Environment Waikato. The focus is on promoting the welfare of kiwi and their habitat, to ensure the long-term survival of wild kiwi populations. Kiwi also act as an indicator species, providing an indication of the health of the entire ecosystem. Actions that benefit kiwi also help other species, both flora and fauna within the ecosystem.

Kiwi Care groups are involved in:• predator and pest control covering thousands of hectares of kiwi habitat, much of the land in private ownership• kiwi call monitoring• advocacy to raise people’s awareness about kiwi and promote ‘kiwi-safe’ behaviours.

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8The Peninsula Project: Working together to protect our people, property and environment www.ew.govt.nz/regionalservices/rivercatchment/peninsula

The Coromandel Peninsula is known for its beautiful environment. However, riverbank erosion, debris blocking rivers and streams, the effect of animal pests on forest health and storms have caused wide-spread problems for communities.

The Peninsula Project aims to improve these issues through pest control and fencing and planting unstable areas. It is a collaborative project between Environment Waikato, Thames-Coromandel District Council, Department of Conservation and Hauraki Maori Trust Board.

Over the next 20 years, the project will have far reaching benefits for both the environment and the people who live and holiday on the Peninsula. It will:• better protect people, property and essential services from flooding• reduce sedimentation in rivers, harbours and estuaries• improve water quality• reduce pests such as goats and possums• improve diversity of plants and animals• improve and stabilise catchments• sustain the mauri of the Peninsula from the mountain ranges to the sea.

If you are interested in getting involved with a community group contact Biodiversity Advice Waikato, phone 0800 BIODIV (0800 246348), for a list of groups in your area or interest.

More than 45 environmental community groups are active on the Peninsula.

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andel Ecological RegionSpecial native wildlife

The Coromandel is one of the Waikato’s biological treasures, especially the Moehau Range, as it is one of New Zealand’s six ‘biodiversity hot spots’.

All the Coromandel offshore islands managed by the Department of Conservation are free of introduced mammals. This allows species now absent from the mainland to survive and thrive, including tuatara, North Island saddleback, hihi (stitchbird), Middle Island tusked weta and many species of lizards and seabirds.

On the mainland, the heavily forested ranges provide extensive habitat for many other threatened species including bats, lizards, kakariki, kaka, Coromandel brown kiwi, and the only place in New Zealand where both Archey’s and Hochstetter’s frogs occur.

Clear, cool streams that flow from the forested ranges harbour a healthy range of invertebrates and fish including long and short-finned eels, giant, banded and short-jawed kokopu and koaro. The Coromandel’s freshwater fishery is dominated by banded kokopu, probably due to the large proportion of the Coromandel’s rivers that flow unimpeded into harbours.

Coastal wetlands shelter Australasian bittern, banded rail and North Island fernbird, and the Firth of Thames is an internationally important area for migratory wading birds, with many coming from as far afield as Alaska and Siberia for the southern hemisphere summer.

Dunes and beaches are home to New Zealand dotterel, wrybills, skinks and Caspian terns.

Some special features of the Coromandel include:• the world’s only populations of the Moehau stag beetle, the Moehau weta, and Middle Island tusked weta • a stronghold in the Waikato region for Archey’s and Hochstetter’s frogs• an estimated 500 kiwi living in the Moehau Range, managed in three large areas at Moehau, Kuaotunu, and Whenuakite • a thriving new population of päteke (brown teal) at Port Charles • thriving island populations of lizards no longer found on the mainland, including Suter’s and Whitaker’s skinks• the extremely rare Coromandel striped gecko.

The intensive pest control work and planting being undertaken by agencies and community groups will help restore native wildlife populations on the Peninsula.

Pest mammals, especially ship rats, are major predators of our native birds and are a real threat. Pest control is the best thing everyone can do to assist in providing a safe habitat for native birds.

Pateke are thriving at Port Charles.Photo: Department of Conservation.

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10Special plants

About 130 plant species native to the Waikato region are at risk of extinction. Planting threatened species will help ensure their survival. There are also a number of distinct species of plants that occur only or mainly in the Coromandel ecological region.

Some threatened or special species that you may like to try establishing:

Maori/common names

Botanical name Ecological district*

Plant type Habitat

Sand tussock Austrofestuca littoralis

C Ta W Tussock Dune plant – most suitable sites will be public land. Talk to your local beachcare coordinator if you wish to plant this species.

Kirk’s daisy Brachyglottis kirkii var. kirkii T

C Ta Th Shrub Usually an epiphyte that grows on trees in lowland and lower montane forest. Plant in areas free of deer, goats and possums.

Coromandel groundsel

Brachyglottis myrianthos T

C Ta Th Shrub Lowland/sub-montane shrublands – streamsides.

Coromandel daisy

Celmisia adamsii var. adamsii T

C Ta Th Herb Rocky outcrops.

Giant-flowered broom

Carmichaelia williamsii T

C Shrub Open forest/scrub on steep coastal sites.

Pingao Desmoschoenus spiralis T

C Ta W Tussock Golden coloured sand dune plant. Talk to your local beachcare coordinator if you wish to plant this species.

Whau Entelea arborescens

C Ta Th W Small tree Coastal cliffs, forest, clay banks.

Tamingi Epacris sinclairii T Th Shrub Grows in kauri forest in the steepland and montane zones.

Fern Loxsoma cunninghamii

C Ta Th Fern Tall scrub and on banks in the lowland zone.

King fern/para Marattia salicina T

C Ta Th W Fern Lowland forest–dark gullies, cave entrances. Eaten by pigs.

Crimson rata Metrosideros carminea

C Ta Th W Vine Lowland/sub-montane forest, epiphyte on trees.

Mida/willow leaved maire

Mida salicifolia C Ta Th W Small tree Lowland forest.

Ngaio Myoporum laetum

C Ta Th W Small tree Coastal cliffs, back dunes, clay banks.

Pimelea Pimelea tomentosa T

C Ta Th W Shrub Open cliff tops, scrub.

Pittosporum virgatum T

C Ta Th Small tree Lowland and sub-montane forest.

Wrinkle-leaved kumaraho

Pomaderris rugosa T

C Ta Th W Shrub Low fertility clay banks, roadsides, slips.

Five-finger Pseudopanax laetus T

C Ta Th Shrub Lowland forest. Looks like five-finger but has purple stems.

Raukawa Raukawa edgerleyi T

C Ta Th W Small tree Sub-montane/montane cloud forest.

*C = Colville, Ta = Tairua, Th = Thames, W = WaihiT = Threatened species

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Pseudopanax laetus.

Some of these plants may be difficult to source, but nurseries may be able to provide them if given prior notice. It is important that these species are eco-sourced (seed collected from naturally occurring plants) from the local district.

However do not remove threatened plants from the wild.